Pour seal structure for cartons



June 5, 1951 J. A. ZINN, JR

POUR SEAL STRUCTURE FOR CARTONS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 15, 1948 IN V EN TOR. JuZawQ 200% J53 917M, AMLQQ,

J. A. ZINN, JR POUR SEAL STRUCIURE FOR CARTONS June 5, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1948 INVENTOR.

June 5, 1951 J. A. ZINN, JR 2,555,526 POUR SEAL STRUCTURE FOR CARTONS Filed July '15, 1948 '3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INIf'ENTORJ Z Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to pour seal structures for cartons, more particularly to pour seal structures for leak-proof cartons of the type disclosed and claimed in the prior Patent No. 2,412,666 issued December 17, 1946, to the present inventor, for Liquidproof Fiberboard Carton With Bellows Closure, and the invention has for an object the provision of improved structures of this character.

Single-use liquid-tight cartons or containers formed of paper, fiberboard, or the like, have heretofore been provided with pour openings in which a tear-tab is formed in one wall of the container and sealed by a patch or subpanel secured to the inside of the container wall and perforated to provide a small flap adaptedto be secured to the tear-tab for removal therewith to form a pour opening when the tear-tab is lifted. Such prior structures have either not been adaptable to cartons having bellows type top closures because of the tendency of the tear-tab to be displaced or to pop out during the top closing operation, or they have been objectionable in requiring a number of different types of scoring, cutting and perforating operations, which necessarily add to the cost of manufacture. Likewise, in certain prior structures the pour opening has been so positioned as to be obscured by the lifted teartab, thereby rendering dii-ficult the desired pouring operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pour seal structure for cartons employing bellows type top closures in which the aforesaid deficiencies of prior structures are obviated;

Another object of the present invention is to eliminate displacement of the tear-tab during the top closing and sealing operation.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a readily foldable flexible pour seal structure which assures alignment of the inner and outer plys thereof during the top closing operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a carton having a pour opening which is readily visible by the user during the pouring operation.

Another object is to provide a pour seal structure that may be readily reclosed and maintained in reclosed position after the tear-tab has been initially lifted to provide a pour opening.

In carrying out the invention in one form a pour seal structure is provided for a carton having a bellows type top closure wherein one body panel of the carton and the top closure panel hinged thereto are of two ply construction, the

hinge line of the outer ply being in the form of a score line forming an inwardl extending bead. A tear-tab in the outer ply is defined by a score line in the closure panel and by lines of perfora tion extending angularly therefrom so as to intersect the hinge line of the outer ply and to extend downwardly in the body panel and terminate in a finger opening formed in the body panel. The inner and outer plys of the body and closure panels are adhesively joined together throughout substantially the entire area thereof except for the area defined by the tear-tab and finger opening and the inner ply of the panels has the portion of its hinge line which underlies the teartab, formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereoi for receiving the bead which constitutes the hinge line of the tear-tab to prevent displacement of the tear-tab when the closure panel is folded inwardly to close the carton. Finally a plug is provided in the inner ply underlying and adhesively joined to the tear-tab and defined by lines of perforation adapted to be run tured by lifting of the tear-tab so as to provide a pour opening. The adhesive connection between the plug and the tear-tab is confined to limited central areas thereof to provide a flexible con nection permitting limited relative adjustment of the tear-tab and the plug during the folding operation incident to closure of the carton. In accordance with one aspect of the invention the score line which defines one edge of the tear-tab extends angularly with respect to the hinge line of the body and closure panels so that the teartab when lifted swings to one side to expose to view the pour opening provided by removal of the plug incident to the lifting of the tear-tab. In accordance with another aspect of the inven-' tion the lines of perforation forming the plug in the inner ply extend across the hinge line between the body and closure panels so as to form the pour opening partially in each of these panels and the free end of the tear-tab after being initially lifted is insertable through the pour opening behind the inner ply of the body panel to permit reclosing of the pour opening. The pour opening is of less width than the tear-tab whereby portions of the inner ply marginal to the pour opening are exposed by lifting of the tear-tab and the edges of the tear-tab upon insertion into the pour opening are effective to rupture the cut score line which extends across these marginal portions of. the inner ply so as to permit complete reclosure of the pour opening.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should now be had to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a blank for forming a carton provided with a pour seal structure embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the reverse side of a portion of one of the panels shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the completed carton formed from the blank in Fig. 1 after the carton has been filled and sealed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the tear-tab and plug in raised position to provide the pour opening;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 4 showing a portion of the tear-tab tucked through the pour seal opening to initiate reclosing of the pour opening;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the pour opening complete- 1y reclosed;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a blank embodying a pour seal opening constituting another form of the present invention;

Fig.6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 showing the reverse side of one of the panels of the blank shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the complete carton formed from the blank of Fig. 7 after the carton has been filled and sealed; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the tear-tab and plug lifted and swung to one side to provide a readily visible pour opening. 1

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawin form the inner and outer plys of the top closure panel 35 which is hinged to, and integral with, the body panel l8. In accordance with the present invention the hinge line between the portions 3 and ll of the outer ply constitutes a conventional score line 36 which forms the usual inwardly extending bead, and the hinge line between the portions 33 and 13 of the inner ply is formed by a pair of short similar score lines 31 and 38 which are connected as shown in Fig. 2 by cut score line 39 formed in the outer surface of the inner ply.

In order to provide the pour seal structure embodying the present invention, the outer ply formed by the panel portions 34 and Il is provided with a tear-tab 30 which is defined by a score line 4! extending substantially parallel to the hinge score line 36 and by lines of perforathe invention is shown as embodied in a carton or container of the type described and claimed in the aforesaid Zinn Patent No. 2,412,666, adapted to be formed from a single integral blank comprising a body portion If], a bottom closing portion H and a top closing portion E2. The body portion l6 of the blank includes a side-wall panel l5 end-wall panels [4 and I6 and panel members 53 and ll arranged to be adhesively joined to form a two-ply side-wall panel It in the completed carton shown in Fig. 3. The bottom closing portion ofthe carton is of the type disclosed in the aforesaid prior patent and need not be described in detail further than to point out that it comprises a side flap member I2, end flap members 20 and 2i and side flap portions 22 and 23 arranged to be overlapped and adhesively joined during the formation of the bottom closure, suitable wing portions 2 3, 25, 2E- and 21 being arranged to cooperate in the bottom closing operation, as more fully described in the aforesaid patent. The top closing portion I2 of the blank comprises a bellows fold type of top closure formed by folded extensions or panels of the body portion Ill. Thus the top closure portion I2 includes a side closure panel 28, connected end portions 29 and 36 provided with suitable crease lines 3| and 32 respectively for forming the bellows fold, and side closure members 33 and 34 adapted to be adhesively joined to form a two-ply top closure panel which is identified by the reference numeral 35 in Fig. 3.

Adhesive is applied to the blank of Fig. l in the areas indicated by stippling and it will beunderstood that when the blank is folded in the manner more fully described in aforesaid prior patent, the panel I! and the panel l3 respective-' ly form the inner and outer plys of the body panel l8 and the portions 33 and 34 respectively tion 42 and 43 which extend angularly from the score line 4| so as to intersect the score line 36 and which then taper inwardly so as to provide. a tapered tear-tab terminating in a finger opening 4 3. Formed in the panel portions 33 and I3 which form the inner ply of the body and closure panels l8 and 35 is a plugtil which is formed by a line of perforations 46 which intersects the'cut score line 39 as shown best in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. l the adhesive which serves to'secure the inner and outer plys together extends over substantially the entire area of the body and top closure panels I8 and 35 respectively except for the area defined by the tear-tab 46 so that the tear-tab is not adhesively joined to the main portions of the inner ply. However, as shown, the tear-tab is provided with'adhesive arranged in the form of stencils 41 and 48 so as to insure that limited central areas of the teartab will be adhesively secured to the plug :35 when the carton is formed from the blank of Fig. 1. It will be understood that when the carton is initially formed it comprises an open top container of the so-called nesting type and is adapted. to be closed and sealed after it has been filled with the proper ingredients. When initially formed the portion of the score line 35 which extends across the tear-tab lu is in substantial alignment with the'cut score line 39 which extends across the plug 15 and across the marginal portions 49 and 56 of the inner ply which underly the tear-tab 46. Accordingly during the top closing operation the cut score 39 will open up to receive the bead of the score line 36 thereby per mitting a clean, sharp fold of the two-ply panel and reducing the possibility of fracture of the outer ply at the hinge line. adhesive only in the stenciled areas 4'! and 48 provides a measure of flexibility permitting the tear-tab 4! and the plug 45 to adjust themselves to a limited extent during the top closing operation to insure proper fitting of the bead in the cut score line and thus eliminating the danger of displacement of the tear-tab during the top closing'operation.

In Fig. 3. the completed carton is shown with the pour seal structure and the top of the carton closed and sealed. When it is desired to remove all or a part of the contents of the carton it is only necessary to lift the tear-tab 40 upwardly by means of the finger opening 44 to the position shown in Fig. 4 so as to rupture the line of perforation 46, which defines the plug 45, and forms a pour opening which is partially in the top closure panel 35 and partially in the body closure panel [8.

If only a portionof the contents of the car The application of r ton is removed and it is therefore desirable to reclose the pour opening it is necessary only to insert the end of the tear-tab 40 through the pour opening to a position behind the inner ply Is as shown in Fig. 5 and then to force the teartab downwardly. During this downward movement the edges of the tear-tab 40, which are tapered as shown, will effect rupture of the marginal portions 39 and 56 intersected by the cut score line 39, and the tear-tab may thus be forced to the completely closed position shown in Fig. 6 wherein it will be frictionally retained so as to prevent spillage of the contents until the tear-tab is again lifted to expose the pour opening.

In the embodiment of the invention shown the Figs. 7 to inclusive, a carton identical with the carton of the previously described embodiment is provided with a pour seal structure adapted to swing to one side so as fully to expose the pour opening in order to facilitate the pouring operation. The carton construction being identical in this embodiment of the invention, similar parts are identified by the same reference numorals as in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, followed by the letter a. As shown in Fig. 7 the panel portions 34a and Ila which form the outer ply of the top closure panel 35a and the body panel l8a in the completed carton of Figs. 9 and 10 are provided with a tear-tab 5| defined by a score line 52 which extends at a substantial angle to the score line 35a which defines the hinge line in the outer ply, and by lines of perforation 53 and 5a which extend angularly from the score line 52 so as to intersect the score line 36a and form a tapering tear-tab terminatin in a finger opening 44a.

Likewise, as shown in Fig. 7, the panel portions 35a and I36, which together form the inner ply of the two-ply closure and body panels 35a and lBa of the completed carton, are provided with a plug 55 which is formed entirely in the panel portion 33a by suitable lines of perforation 56. The hinge line 36a in the outer ply is of the type providing an inwardly extending bead as in the previously described embodiment, and for cooperation therewith the inner ply is provided with similar score lines 51 and 58 which are joined by a cut score line 59 (Fig. 8) similar to the cut score line 59 of the previously described embodiment of the present invention. In order to flexibly secure the tear-tab 5| to the plug 55 so as to effect rupturing of the line of perforation 56 and provide a pour opening upon lifting of the tear-tab, the tear-tab 5! is provided with adhesive arranged in a suitable stencil form Bil so as to secure a limited central area of the plug 55 to the tear-tab.

It is thought that the manner in which the carton constituting this embodiment of the invention is formed to provide a cooperating teartab and plug and the manner in which the out score line 59 cooperates with the bead of the score line 35a to prevent displacement of the tear-tab during the top closing operation will be apparent from the foregoing description. In Fig. 9 the carton constituting this embodiment of the invention is shown in its closed position, with the pour seal structure closed and sealed. Upon lifting of the tear-tab 5| to the position shown in Fig. 10 the plug 55 is removed from the inner ply 33a by rupture of the line of perforations 56 and. since the tear-tab 5| swings about the angularly extendin score line 52, the tear-tab and plu are moved to one side, as shown in Fig. 10,

6. so as to render the pour opening visible to the user, thereby to facilitate the pouring operation. Reclosure of the pour opening in this embodiment of the invention is effected merely by returning the tear-tab 5| and the plug 55 to the position shown in Fig. 9 in which they will be loosely held by friction between the respective edges thereof and the edges of the inner and outer plys of the carton walls.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A pour-seal structure for a carton having a bellows type top closure wherein one body panel of said carton and the top closure panel. hinged thereto are of two ply construction, the hinge line of the outer ply of said panels constituting a score line forming an inwardly extending bead, a tear-tab in said outer ply defined by a score line in said closure panel and by lines of perforation extending angularly from said last men-- tioned score line so as to intersect said hinge line of said outer ply and extend downwardly there from in said body panel, said lines of perforation terminating in a finger opening formed in said body panel, the inner and outer plys of said body and closure panels being adhesively joined together throughout substantially the entire area thereof except for the area defined by said teartab and finger opening, the inner ply of said panels having the portion of its hinge line underlying said tear-tab formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereof for receiving said bead to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said closure panel is folded inwardly to close said carton, and a plug in said inner ply underlying and adhesively joined to said tear-tab and defined by lines of perforation adapted to be ruptured by lifting of said tear-tab to provide a pour open mg.

2. A pour-seal structure for a carton having a bellows type top closure wherein one body panel of said carton and the top closure panel hinged thereto are of two ply construction, the hinge line of the outer ply of said panels constituting a score line forming an inwardly extending bead, a tear-tab in said outer ply defined by a scoreline in said closure panel and by lines of perforation extending angularly from said last mentioned score line so as to intersect said hinge line of said outer ply and extend downwardly therefrom in said body panel, said lines of perforation terminating in a finger opening formed in said body panel, the inner and outer plies of said body and closure panels being adhesively joined together throughout substantially the entire area thereof except for the area defined by said teartab and finger opening, the inner ply of said panels having the portion Of its hinge line underlying said tear-tab formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereof for receiving said bead to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said closure panel is folded inwardly to close said car ton, and a plug in said inner ply underlying and adhesively joined to said tear-tab and defined by lines of perforation intersecting said out score line and adapted to be ruptured by lifting of said tear-tab to provide a pour opening formed par- 7 tially in said. body panel and partially in said closure panel.

3. A pour-seal structure for a carton having a bellows type top closure wherein one body panel of said carton and the top closure panel hinged thereto are of two ply construction, the hinge line of the outer ply of said panels constituting a score line forming an inwardly extending bead, a tear-tab in said outer ply defined by a score line in said closure panel and by lines of perforation extending angularly from said last mentioned score line so as to intersect said hinge line of said outer ply and extend downwardly therefrom in said body panel, said lines of perforation terminating in a finger opening formed in said body panel, the inner and outer plies of said body and closure panels being adhesively joined together throughout substantially the entire area thereof except for the area defined by said teartab and finger openings, the inner ply of said panels having the portion of its hinge line underlying said tear-tab formed by a cut score lin in the outer surface thereof for receiving said bead to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said closure panel is folded inwardly to close said carton, a plug in said inner ply underlying said tear-tab and defined by lines of perforation, and adhesive securing limited central areas of said plug to said tear-tab to provide a flexible connection therebetween to permit limited relative adjustment of said tear-tab and said plug during closure of said carton, said adhesive effecting rupturing of said lines of perforation defining said plug to effect removal thereof and provide a pour opening upon lifting of said tear-tab.

4. A pour-seal structure for a carton having a bellows type top closure wherein one body panel of said carton and the top closure panel hinged thereto are of two ply construction, the hinge line of the outer ply of said panels constituting a score line forming an inwardly extending head, a teartab in said outer ply defined by a score line in said closure panel and by lines of perforation extending angularly from said last mentioned score line so as to intersect said hinge line of said outer ply and extend downwardly therefrom in said body panel, said lines of perforation terminating in a finger opening formed in said body panel, the inner and outer plys of said body and closure panels being adhesively joined together throughout substantially the entire area thereof except for the area defined by said tear-tab and finger opening, the inner ply of said panels having the portion of its hinge line underlying said tear-tab formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereof for receiving said bead to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said closure panel is folded inwardly to close said carton, a plug in said inner ply underlying said teartab and defined by lines of perforation intersecting said out score line whereby a portion of said plug is disposed in said closure panel and a portion in said body panel, and adhesive securing limited central areas of each portion of said plug to said tear-tab thereby to provide flexible connections on opposite sides of said hinge line and permit limited relative adjustment of said teartab and said plug during closure of said carton, said adhesive effecting rupture of said lines of perforation defining said plug to provide a pour opening spanning said hinge line upon lifting of said tear-tab.

5. A pour-seal structure for a carton having a bellows type top closure wherein one body panel of said carton and the top closure panel hinged thereto are of two ply construction, the hinge line of the outer ply of said panels constitutinga score line forming an inwardly extending head, a tear-tab in said outer ply defined by a score line in said closure panel and by lines of perforation extending angularly from'said last mentioned score line so as to intersect said hinge line 1 lying said tear-tab formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereof for receiving said bead to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said closure panelis folded inwardly to close said carton, said score-line of said tear tab extending angularly with respect to said hinge line of said panels whereby said tear tab when lifted swings to one side, and a plug in the inner ply of said closure panel underlying and adhesively joined to said tear-tab and defined by lines of perforation adapted to be ruptured by lifting of said tear-tab, whereby said plug is lifted and swung to one side with said tear-tab to provide a readily visible pour opening in said top closure panel.

6. A pour-seal structure for a carton having a bellows type top closure wherein one body panel of said carton and the top closure panel hinged thereto are of two ply construction, the hinge iine of the outer ply of said panels constituting a score line forming an inwardly extending head,

a tear tab in said outer ply defined by a score line in said closure panel extending substantially parallel to 'said hinge line and by lines of perfo- 'ration extending angularly from said parallel score line so as to intersect'said hinge line of said outer ply and extend downwardly therefrom in said body panel, said lines of perforation tapering inwardly in said body panel and terminating in a finger opening in said outer ply,

the inner and outer plys of said body and closure panels being adhesively joined together throughout substantially the entirearea thereof except for the area defined by said tear-tab and finger opening, the inner ply of said panels having the portion of its hingeline underlying said tear-tab formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereof for receiving said head to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said closure panel isfolded inwardly to close said carton, and a plug in said inner ply underlying and adhesively joined to said tear tab and defined by lines of perforation intersecting said out score line and adapted to be ruptured by lifting of said tear-tab to provide a pour opening formed partially in said body panel and partially in said closure panel, the free end of said tear-tab being thereafter insertable through said pour opening behind the inner ply of said body panel to reclose said pour opening, the tapered edges of said teartab effecting rupture of the portions of said out score line in said inner ply extending between said pour opening and the outer edges of the opening in said outer ply left by said tear-tab.

7. A pour seal structure for a carton having a top panel extending angularly from and formed integrally with a body panel, said integral panels being of two ply construction, a tear-tab in the outer ply of said panels defined'by ascore line extending substantially parallel to the meetinged e of said panels and by lines of perforation extending across said top panel to said meeting edge and then downwardly in said body panel, said lines of perforation converging in said body panel to provide tapered edges terminating in a finger opening therein, said inner and outer plys being adhesively joined throughout substantially the entire area of said panels except for the area defined by said tear-tab and finger opening, a plug in the inner ply of said panels underlying and adhesively joined to said tear tab and defined by lines of perforation intersecting said meeting edge and adapted to be ruptured by lifting of said tear-tab to provide a pour opening formed partially in each of said panels, said pour opening at said meeting edge being of less width than said tear-tab whereby portions of said inner ply marginal to said pour opening are exposed by lifting of said tear-tab, said marginal portions having lines of weakness extending along said meeting edge, the free end of said tear-tab being insertable through said pour opening behind the inner ply of said body panel so that the tapered edges of said tear-tab will rupture said inner ply along said lines of weakness when said teartab is forced downwardly to effect reclosing of said pour opening.

. 8. A pour seal structure for a carton having a top closure panel extending angularly from and formed integrally with a body panel, said integral panels being of two ply construction, the hinge line of the outer ply of said panels constituting a score line forming an inwardly extending bead, a tear-tab in said outer ply defined by a score line in said closure panel and by lines of perforation extending angularly from said last mentioned score line so as to intersect said hinge line of said outer ply and extend downwardly therefrom in said body panel, said lines of perforation terminating in a finger opening formed in said body panel, the inner and outer plys of said body and closure panels being adhesively joined together throughout substantially the entire area thereof except for the area defined by said teartab and finger opening, the inner ply of said panels having the portion of its hinge line underlying said tear-tab formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereof for receiving said bead to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said closure panel is folded inwardly to close said carton, said score-line of said tear tab extending angularly with respect to said hinge line of said panels whereby said tear tab when lifted swings to one side, and a plug in the inner ply of said closure panel underlying and adhesively joined to said tear-tab and defined by lines of perforation adapted to be ruptured by lifting of said tear-tab, whereby said plug is lifted and swung to one side with said tear-tab to provide a readily visible pour opening in said top closure panel.

9. A blank for forming a carton having a bellows type top closure including a top closure panel hinged to a body panel, said blank including portions adapted to be adhesively secured together to form the inner and outer plys of said panels, the portion of said blank forming said outer ply having the hinge line therein constituting a score line forming an inwardly extending bead, a tear-tab in said outer ply portion defined by a score line in the closure panel and by lines of perforation extending angularly from said last mentioned score line so as to intersect said hinge line and extend downwardly therefrom in said body portion, said lines of perforation terminating in a finger opening formed in said outer ply of said body panel, the inner ply portion of said blank having the portion of its hinge line which is adapted to underlie said tear-tab in said outer ply formed by a cut score line in the outer surface thereof for receiving said inwardly extending bead to prevent displacement of said tear-tab when said plys are adhesively secured together and folded about said hinge lines to close the carton, said inner ply portion of said blank having a plug therein adapted to underlie and to be adhesively secured to said tear-tab, said plug being defined by lines of perforation adapted to be ruptured by lifting of said tear-tab to provide a pour opening in the finished carton.

JULIUS A. ZINN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,263,957 Sooy Nov, 25, 1941 2,412,666 Zinn, Jr. Dec. 17, 1946 2,417,104 Cope Mar. 11, 1947 

